17-year-old Gilberto Mora makes World Cup historical past in Mexico’s win vs. South Africa

The 2026 formally acquired underway on Thursday and gave house followers every thing to get enthusiastic about.

kicked off the largest World Cup ever, with 48 groups, securing a 2-0 victory over in entrance of a delirious Estadio Azteca crowd.

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Julian Quinones scored the match’s first purpose, discovering the again of the web within the ninth minute. El Tri held a 1-0 lead for a lot of the sport earlier than Mexican striker Raul Jimenez headed house one other purpose within the 67th minute to make it 2-0.

Three purple playing cards had been dished out, however Mexico held agency in a chaotic opening match.

And but, whereas the objectives and the drama grabbed the headlines, it was a 17-year-old child from Chiapas who made historical past.

Within the sixty fifth minute, got here on as an alternative to Alvaro Fidaldo and have become the youngest participant in Mexico’s historical past to look in a FIFA World Cup match.

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At simply 17 years previous and 240 days previous, Mora shattered a file set by Manuel “Chaquetas” Rosas again in 1930, practically a full century in the past.

And he didn’t simply break Mexico’s file, both.

Mora additionally grew to become the youngest participant ever to characterize a number nation on the World Cup stage.

Born on Oct. 14, 2008, in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mora performs for Membership Tijuana in Liga MX, and he’s already turn into a family title in Mexico.

At 15, he grew to become the youngest-ever goalscorer in Liga MX historical past. By 16, he’d debuted for Mexico’s senior nationwide workforce and topped and Pelé because the youngest participant to win a senior worldwide trophy, because of Mexico’s 2025 Gold Cup win.

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Simply two days earlier than this match, Membership Tijuana locked him down with and handed him the No. 10 jersey, sending a robust message to Europe’s elite which have been circling for months.

, , , , , and have all reportedly been linked to the rising star.

Extra information:

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – JUNE 11: Gilberto Mora #19 of Mexico celebrates after the 2-0 win in the course of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico Metropolis Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Mexico Metropolis, Mexico. (Picture by Luke Hales/Getty Pictures)

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He was solely on the sector for slightly over half-hour in Mexico’s World Cup opener, however followers had been chanting ‘Mora! Mora! Mora!’ the second he stepped onto the pitch.

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Anticipate to listen to much more of that within the coming weeks.

Pelé was 17 when he helped win the 1958 World Cup. was 19 when France lifted the trophy in 2018. The comparisons are huge, in all probability unfair, however there’s a motive everyone within the world already is aware of his title.

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